Death in Vegas: Scorpio Rising : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Death in Vegas are two British-club-culture alumni who -- much like Primal Scream -- create heavy grooves influenced by kraut rock, Sixties soul, weird folk and heavy dub. Scorpio Rising is an ambitious effort where acid-damaged instrumentals exist alongside songs sung by superstar guests. The fantastic title track is a full-on rocker, with Liam Gallagher of Oasis braying at his Lennonesque best. Hope Sandoval coos through both the mandolin-dappled "Killing Smile" and the blissed-out "Help Yourself." The only blunder is a Paul Weller-sung slog through the Gene Clark classic "So You Say You Lost Your Baby." It all adds up to an album that's transcendent in fits and starts, undermined by one too many celebs in the vocal booth.

PETER RELIC
(From RS 923, May 29, 2003)